Russellville's senior girls did just that Thursday with a benefit game against Fountain Lake at Cyclone Gymnasium.

The game didn't count toward either team's record, and the score was reset to 0-0 after each quarter. Russellville led at the end of all four despite frigid shooting from both the field and the free throw line.

The Lady Cyclones finished just 14 of 31 from the stripe. They opened the game by missing 11 of their first 12 from the field, and several of the misses were of the point-blank variety.

Kordsmeier wasn't too concerned, however. He said his girls were excited to finally matchup against some unfamiliar faces, and a little rust is to be expected.

The Lady Cyclones just need to work on their rhythm and timing on offense, he said.

"If we do that, the shooting will improve," he said.

Kordsmeier was pleased with the effort, particularly on the defensive end. The Lady Cyclones held the Lady Cobras to just two points in the second quarter and three in the third.

"Defensively, we looked quick and showed good ball pressure," Kordsmeier said. "I was pleasantly surprised by our man defense. ... That's what you've got to do (play good defense). That shooting stuff isn't always going to be there."

For the most part, that shooting stuff wasn't there for either team Thursday. Russellville finished the first quarter leading 10-8 despite sinking one basket in the game's first 6 minutes.

The Lady Cyclones took a 2-0 lead on a jumper by Christa Aylesworth just 8 seconds in and didn't make another shot from the field until Janey Jacimore sank a driving layup with just over 2 minutes to play in the quarter.

Fountain Lake didn't fare much better. The Lady Cobras were held scoreless for nearly 3 minutes before a floater by Jordan Anderson tied the game 2-2 at the 5:07 mark.

They took their first lead, 4-3, on another basket by Anderson less than a minute later.

Fountain Lake eventually pushed its lead to 6-3 before Jacimore's layup and a 3-pointer by Aubree Ward put Russellville back top for good, 8-6, with 1:36 remaining.

Kordsmeier's second unit had a little more success, particularly on defense. The Lady Cyclones held the Lady Cobras without a basket in the second period, which ended with RHS leading 11-2.

Fountain Lake's two points in the period came on a pair of free throws by Brittany Stanley.

Russellville sophomore Mindy Cooper emerged in the second quarter as the lone player from either team to show consistent touch from the line. She finished the period 3 of 4 and was 8 of 10 on the night.

The third quarter was all RHS as well. The Lady Cyclones opened with an 8-0 lead and finished the period with a 13-3 advantage.

The fourth quarter was much more competitive. A jumper by Melanie Roach and a layup by Kristen Williams gave RHS a 4-0 lead. Fountain Lake's Amber Fryar sank a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 4-3 with 5:38 remaining.

The Lady Cyclones eventually pushed their lead to 9-5 before the Lady Cobras got another trey, this one from Anderson, to pull within 9-8 with 1:56 to play.

But neither team could sink a basket the rest of the way. Cooper closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws with 39 seconds on the clock.

Cooper finished with eight points, all from the line. Aylesworth led RHS with nine, and Williams had six.

Anderson led all scorers with 10 points.

The Lady Cyclones played Thursday's game without one of their better post players in Autumn Stewart, who sat out with an ankle injury.

Kordsmeier said he expects the 6-0 junior to be back in the lineup when his team opens the regular season at the Mount St. Mary's Heavenly Hoopfest, which is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of next week.